Redknapp tips Spurs youngster Livermore for England role

Harry Redknapp is convinced that Tottenham's rising star Jake Livermore has all the makings of an England international of the future.

Injuries to Sandro and Tom Huddlestone at the start of the season meant Livermore was thrust in to first-team action ahead of schedule and the 22-year-old has not looked back since.

Livermore's only previous experience of first-team football at Spurs came in the form of a one-minute cameo against Stoke in 2010 and a Carling Cup start against Arsenal, but he has made 29 appearances this season - 17 of which have been starts.

Mixing with the big boys: Jake Livermore has adapted well to the Premier League

Spurs boss Redknapp has talked regularly over the last few years about how disappointed he is that so few of the club's academy products have gone on to become first team regulars and star at international level.

Ledley King is the only player who has fulfilled that ambition in recent years, but Redknapp is sure that Livermore can follow in the Spurs captain's footsteps if he continues to progress at his current rate.

'The sky is the limit for Jake. His attitude is so good. He wants to get to the top and when you have that type of attitude there is no reason why he can't do it.

'He has the ability as well so he has a good chance.'

Livermore showed maturity beyond his years to command Tottenham's midfield against a Manchester United team that contained experienced Barclays Premier League campaigners Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick on Sunday.

Hard to take: Livermore was on the losing side against Manchester United

The Enfield-born midfielder was shipped out on loan no fewer than five times before moving up to the first team, and Redknapp admits his predecessors thought Livermore was a lost cause.

'When I cam here people weren't sure that he was ever going to make it,' Redknapp said.

'He had his injuries. Some people were tending to write him off, but when I came here but from day one I just found him to be a fantastic boy.

'He did ever so well the other day in there with Sandro against Manchester United. I was pleased with those two. They were so good.'

Livermore is likely to keep his place in the Spurs line-up for Wednesday's FA Cup fifth-round replay against Stevenage at White Hart Lane.

Spurs beat Cheltenham and Watford to reach this stage of the competition and have a great chance of making a Wembley semi-final as the winners will face Bolton at home in the last eight.

Picking out a player: Harry Redknapp has tipped Livermore for a big future

'It's a great opportunity for us,' Redknapp added. 'We are at home tomorrow and have a home draw in next round so we really want to take the opportunity that we have been given.

'I would love to get to the final and to win with Tottenham. It would be great.'

Despite having crucial league games against Everton, Stoke and Chelsea coming up, Redknapp will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes to his line-up even though Stevenage sit 48 places below them in the league ladder.

The League One side held Tottenham to a 0-0 draw in the original fixture last month and Redknapp has warned his team that they cannot afford to under-estimate their opponents.

He said: 'If our players are expecting an easy night they will come unstuck.

'Over the years we have been involved in these sort of games enough to know that the Stevenage players will find another two yards of pace tomorrow night.

'They will be up for it. It will be a tough game and we have to make sure we are ready for that and be at our best.'

Gareth Bale looks set to start after missing the United game through illness and Scott Parker is also available after completing a one-match suspension.

William Gallas could also make an appearance after missing the last two months with a calf strain.